FORMER Fianna Fail TD Tom McEllistrim has moved a step closer to making his political comeback and has been selected as a candidate to contest the local elections, writes Majella O'Sullivan.

Mr McEllistrim -- who was a TD for North Kerry for nine years before losing his seat at the last general election -- was one of two candidates selected at the convention for the Tralee electoral area.

Sitting councillor Norma Foley, daughter of the late Denis Foley of Fianna Fail, also came through last night's selection convention where almost 300 delegates were entitled to vote, but only 248 showed up.